Russia calls the Ukrainian offensive near Kursk "barbaric"
19:29 Commander of the German Armed Forces: Germany must be prepared for war with Russia in five years
Germany should be prepared for a large-scale military conflict in five years, says Michael Giss, commander of the Hamburg regional command of the German Armed Forces, in an interview with "Welt". After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Germany has increased its military budget and driven forward the expansion of its arms industry. "In Germany, we are still miles away from perceiving an external threat, unlike, for example, people in the Baltic states or Poland," said Giss. "But my inner clock as a soldier tells me that we must be resilient as a society in five years to withstand a military threat from abroad."
18:55 Minister of Finance: Delays in US aid contribute to Ukraine's budget deficit
Delays in US military aid have contributed to Ukraine's rapidly rising budget deficit this year, says Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko in an interview with the "Financial Times". Other government officials have estimated the deficit at nearly a quarter of GDP (BIP) or $43.5 billion, equivalent to around €40 million. The minister's admission about the difficult situation with military spending comes at a time when Russian troops are increasingly advancing over the frontline in the Donbass. Ukrainian soldiers on the ground report a lack of personnel, ammunition, and military equipment, making the defense of the cities held by Ukraine more challenging than ever. Marchenko says that the payment of US military aid is proceeding "slowly", more than three months after Congress approved direct military aid for Ukraine worth $27 billion, including $13.8 billion for the purchase of modern weapons and another $13.8 billion for the purchase of US defense systems.
18:21 Governor reports four injured after shelling of a Russian city
In the night, Ukrainian forces are said to have attacked not only the Russian region of Kursk but also the surrounding Russian regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones and rockets (see entry 08:07). Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reports that four people were injured in an attack on a city in Belgorod, including three men with shrapnel wounds who were taken to a hospital in Shebekino. Their condition is said to be stable. The attack also damaged a residential building, a bus stop, and a bus, according to Gladkov.
17:38 Russians attempt 26 breakthroughs near Pokrovsk
Russian forces continued their attacks in eastern Ukraine, away from the fighting in their advance into Russian territory at Kursk. The main areas of combat were around Torez and Pokrovsk, according to the Ukrainian General Staff in Kyiv. The heaviest fighting was registered near Pokrovsk, on the edge of the Donbass. In total, Russian units made 26 attempts since the morning to break through Ukrainian defense lines, all of which were repelled. Independent confirmation of these reports is not possible. In Torez, Russian troops once again attempted to advance towards the village of New York, but these attacks were also repulsed. Additionally, the city of Torez was targeted by Russian air strikes.
17:10 Abbas and Putin to meet in Moscow on Monday
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Moscow from August 12 to 14 and is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 13, according to Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal, as reported by state news agency TASS. "The President will arrive in the evening of August 12. It is expected that he will meet with President Putin on Tuesday, and before that, Mahmoud Abbas will lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. The President will depart on August 14. Of course, there will also be a meeting with Arab ambassadors," Nofal emphasized. According to the diplomat, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will be the main topic of their discussions. "The situation in Gaza. They will discuss the role of Russia and what can be done. We have a very difficult situation, and Russia is a country close to us. We need to consult," said Nofal.
16:36 All bodies identified: Three girls among victims of Russian attack on supermarket
The identification of those killed in a Russian missile strike on Konstantinovka in the Donetsk region has been completed by the prosecutor's office. It has been confirmed that three children are among the dead. They are three girls aged 9, 11, and 16. On Friday, Russia carried out a missile strike on a shopping center in the center of Konstantinovka, killing 14 people and injuring 44 others. The attack primarily targeted the Eko-Market supermarket and a post office. On Saturday, the bodies of two children had already been identified.
15:54 Ukrainian armored vehicles with white triangles spotted on way to Kursk
Dozens of Ukrainian armored vehicles have crossed the eastern Ukrainian region of Sumy, which borders the Russian region of Kursk. AFP reporters saw symbols in the form of a white triangle on the vehicles, apparently indicating that they are part of the Ukrainian army's advance into Kursk. Fighting continues in the Russian border region of Kursk after the incursion of Ukrainian troops. The clashes have been ongoing for the sixth consecutive day. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that 35 drones were intercepted over Kursk and the regions of Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Oryol overnight.
15:21 Kyiv Reports No Additional Belarusian Troops and Equipment at BorderThe Ukrainian speaker of the state border guard service, Andrii Demtschenko, says there are no additional Belarusian troops at the border, despite Minsk's claims to reinforce it. He made this statement a day after Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko ordered reinforcements to the border areas with Ukraine. On Friday, several drones from Ukraine were shot down over Belarus. Lukashenko ordered the military presence in the Gomel and Mozyr directions to be reinforced, including the deployment of Polonez rocket systems and Iskander ballistic missile complexes. The area borders the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr regions. "The situation at the border is fully under control. We are not registering any movement of equipment or personnel near our border," says Demtschenko.
14:43 Expert on Kursk Offensive: "Surprise Attack Benefits Kyiv"Defense and security expert Michael Clarke tells U.S. broadcaster Sky that Ukraine has launched a "completely surprising" attack against Russia in the Kursk region this week. In Clarke's view, everything indicates that Ukraine is "winning this battle as much as possible." "They have not only started a surprise attack - they have started an attack of complete astonishment. They have astonished the Russians and the Western backers," he says. "The shock value of this surprise attack benefits Kyiv." The breach into Russian territory is at least 35 miles long and about 15 miles deep. Clarke estimates that about three or four Ukrainian brigades are in Russia, consisting of "elite troops at the highest level." No information has been given about Ukraine's objectives, but Clarke says that Kyiv undoubtedly hopes to attract good units of the Russian army and relieve pressure on Ukrainian frontlines elsewhere. There are indications that Moscow is withdrawing its better units from the south of Ukraine, including from the areas of Chassiv Yar and Pokrovsk. "Russia will do everything necessary to eliminate this breach," says Clarke. "Putin cannot let this pass."
14:04 Kyiv: Incursion into Russian Territory Aimed at "Destabilizing" RussiaThe incursion of Ukrainian troops into the Russian border region of Kursk is aimed at "destabilizing" Russia, according to a Ukrainian security official cited by news agency AFP. "We are on the offensive," the official says. "Thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers are involved. "The goal is to disperse the enemy's positions, inflict maximum losses, and destabilize the situation in Russia," the official says.
13:37 Russia Announces Harsh Response to Attacks on Kursk Border RegionAfter new Ukrainian attacks on the Russian border region of Kursk, Moscow has announced a harsh response. "A harsh reaction from the Russian armed forces will not be long in coming," says Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Telegram messaging service. She announces that the instigators and perpetrators of the "crimes" in Kursk will be held to account.
13:05 Belarus: Video allegedly shows tank transport to Ukraine borderThe Belarusian Ministry of Defense publishes on social media footage showing several tanks being loaded onto a train. The post preceding it states that units are being put on alert. The reinforcement of troops at the border between Belarus and Ukraine is a response to the alleged intrusion of Ukrainian combat drones into Belarusian airspace.
12:48 Ukraine: 53 Russian drones destroyedUkraine claims to have shot down 53 out of 57 drones in the latest Russian attack. The drones were destroyed over various parts of the country, the air forces of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv report. Russia also used four North Korean rockets, it is said.
12:20 Russia: Lancet drone destroys Ukrainian tank in KurskThe Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have destroyed a Ukrainian tank in the Kursk region using a Lancet drone. The ministry shares a video on Telegram allegedly showing the destruction of the Ukrainian forces' tank.
11:53 Zelensky: Russia uses North Korean rocket against KyivUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses his condolences to the family and relatives of the dead in a post on the X platform following the deadly Russian air strike on Kyiv. According to preliminary information, Russia used a North Korean rocket in this attack, which Zelensky describes as another targeted terrorist act against Ukraine. Pyrotechnics experts are working to determine the exact data of the rocket.
11:31 Kriewald: "Lukashenko does well to remain a blusterer"ntv reporter Nadja Kriewald explains that Putin has been trying to draw Belarus into the active war since years and does not expect this to happen in the foreseeable future.
10:41 Ukraine wants to destroy Russia's military infrastructureAfter a new deadly Russian air strike near Kyiv, Ukraine wants to permanently destroy Russia's military infrastructure to stop the killing of civilians. The head of the presidential office, Andrij Jermak, says in Kyiv that it is necessary to deprive the enemy of its ability to kill. He publishes a video on his Telegram channel showing deployment forces in a debris field. "It is necessary to destroy its military infrastructure because the enemy does not accept other arguments," Jermak says about the Russian war of aggression. Ukraine hopes for a quick approval from Western allies to use long-range rockets, even against Russian territory.
10:22 Ministry of Emergency Situations Delivers Aid to Border Region of KurskThe Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has delivered humanitarian aid to the contested border region of Kursk. The ministry reports that convoys carrying tents, blankets, mobile generators, hygiene items, food, and drinking water have been sent to the region. In collaboration with local authorities, the aid will be distributed to the people. More than 76,000 people have had to leave their homes in the region due to ongoing clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
09:47 Ukraine: Kramatorsk Under Russian Fire AgainRussian forces have reportedly shelled the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region for the second day in a row. The Ukrainian governor of Donetsk, Vadym Lysychenko, writes on Telegram that infrastructure facilities were hit in the attacks, and four people were injured. Kramatorsk is the administrative center of the Ukrainian-controlled parts of the Donetsk region. The Russian military controls eastern parts of the region.
08:59 Ukraine Releases Figures on Russian LossesThe Ukrainian General Staff has published new casualty figures for Russian troops in Ukraine. According to the report, Russia has lost around 590,920 soldiers in the war against Ukraine since February 24, 2022, with a daily loss of 1,220. The report from Kyiv also states that six tanks, 58 artillery systems, and 27 drones were destroyed on the last day of fighting. Since the start of the large-scale invasion, Russia has reportedly lost a total of 8,447 tanks, 16,663 artillery systems, 366 aircraft, 328 helicopters, 13,399 drones, 28 ships, and one submarine, according to Ukraine. Western estimates put the losses lower, but these are also likely to be minimum figures.
08:07 Russia: Massive Drone Attacks in Russian Border Regions of Belgorod and VoronezhUkrainian forces have reportedly attacked the Russian regions of Voronezh and Belgorod with drones and missiles in addition to the region of Kursk (see entry 01:51). The governors of Voronezh and Belgorod announced this on their Telegram channels. Alexandr Gusev, governor of the Voronezh region, reports that the air defense system shot down more than a dozen drones in the Voronezh region, causing damage to buildings. Gusev reports no casualties. There were drone attacks in several settlements in Belgorod, according to Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region. Explosions and fires occurred in two locations, with no casualties reported.
07:32 Rescue Service: Two Dead After Russian Attack on Kyiv RegionA Russian missile attack (see entry 00:27) has resulted in the deaths of a 35-year-old man and his four-year-old son in a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, according to the state rescue service. Three other people were severely injured. Missile debris fell on private homes in Brovary east of Kyiv in the evening, the rescuers reported on Telegram. The father and son were trapped under the rubble of a building.
07:04 Russia: Russian Su-25 Jet Allegedly Strikes Ukrainian Forces in Russian Kursk
A Russian combat aircraft of the Su-25 type is said to have attacked and hit Ukrainian forces in the border region of the Russian Kursk region. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced this on Telegram. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the attack was carried out using unguided air-to-ground missiles. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that the crew performed an air defense maneuver, triggered heat flares, and returned to the airbase after the mission. A video showing the deployment of the combat aircraft was published on the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense. The Su-25 aircraft type is a ground attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union and is currently being used for air support of Russian ground troops in the Ukraine war.
06:24 ISW: Kremlin Downplays Ukrainian Incursion in Kursk Region
The Kremlin has likely decided to declare an anti-terror operation instead of martial law to downplay the Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk region and prevent panic or a backlash at home, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in a recent report. This indicates that the Kremlin is not ready to take more drastic measures to address the situation, the analysts added.
05:38 Orthodox Church with Moscow Ties May be Banned
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted in his evening video address on Saturday that the government plans to strengthen "our Ukrainian spiritual independence." This suggests that the leadership is considering banning the Orthodox Church with ties to Moscow. Since the Russian troops' invasion of Ukraine, the number of members in the other independent church has been growing. However, the Moscow-affiliated minority church still maintains its influence. The Ukrainian government accuses it of supporting the invasion and attempting to poison public opinion.
03:50 ISW: Ukrainians Hold Their Ground and Advance
Geolocated footage and Russian reports from yesterday indicate that Ukrainian forces have largely maintained their positions in the Kursk region and have made some advances beyond their previously confirmed positions, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
01:51 Russia: Injured in Ukrainian Rocket Strike in City of Kursk
At least 13 people were injured, two seriously, by debris from a downed Ukrainian rocket in the Russian city of Kursk, the acting governor of the border region announced.
00:27 Explosions in Ukrainian Capital Kyiv
Several explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. According to AFP journalists, the explosions were heard in the center and east of the city. The Ukrainian air force stated that two Russian missiles were targeted at the capital, while the Kyiv military administration reported the activation of air defense systems on the online service Telegram.
00:11 Ukraine Awaits "With Anticipation" Decisions from the US, UK, and FranceThe Ukraine may expect the delivery of additional long-range weapons to maintain its defense against Russian aggression. In his evening video address, President Zelensky says: "We also await with anticipation the decisions of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France regarding long-range capabilities - decisions that will bring us closer to a fair peace." For a long time, Ukraine had tried to convince Germany to supply Taurus long-range missiles, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected this.
22:17 Ukraine Suspects 28 Officials of Embezzling Defense Budget FundsThe Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, in collaboration with the State Investigation Bureau, National Police, and Security Service of Ukraine, conducted a special operation to expose the organizers and participants in criminal schemes involving the embezzlement of funds from the Ukrainian defense budget. The Prosecutor General's Office reported that the total damage to the state amounts to over 1.5 billion Hrywnia, approximately 33,000 Euros. According to the investigation, employees of the Ministry of Defense, military units, joint ventures, regional military administrations, city administrations, and company directors in many regions of Ukraine are involved in the embezzlement. As a result of the investigation, 28 individuals were suspected, including nine as members of organized criminal groups.
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Given the current context, here are two sentences that could follow from the provided text and contain the phrase "The Ukrainian conflict":
Given the increased military preparedness in Germany due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, it is crucial for diplomatic efforts to resolve "The Ukrainian conflict" to prevent an escalation.
During the Finance Minister's interview, he pointed out that the delays in US aid have exacerbated Ukraine's budget deficit, further complicating the economic aspects of "The Ukrainian conflict".
